Ornithogalum plant named &#39;Bethlehem&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Ornithogalum thyrsoides  Jacq. named ‘Bethlehem’ originated as a controlled cross between the commercial cultivar  Ornithogalum thyrsoides  Jacq. ‘Snowflake’ and an unnamed  Ornithogalum thyrsoides  Jacq. cultivar. The cultivar ‘Bethlehem’ has R.H.S. 155 C (white group) petals at maturity and is distinguished from other similar cultivars of which the inventor is aware by its tall racemes, wide leaves and suitability for growth in pots.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq. ‘Bethlehem’

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Bethlehem’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Lilaceaefamily. The botanical name of the plant is Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq.‘Bethlehem’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled crossbetween the commercial variety Ornithogalum thyrsoides ‘Snowflake’ andan unnamed Ornithogalum thyrsoides. ‘Snowflake’ was the seed parent.‘Snowflake’ is the progeny of the commercial variety ‘Bock Bay’.

The variety ‘Bethlehem’ is most like its parent ‘Snowflake’.

The new variety was first noticed, because of its erect and tall racemesand its large flowers.

The new cultivar ‘Bethlehem’ has been asexually reproduced through threegenerations under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery inHalf Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with itsdistinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

‘Bethlehem’ is distinguished from other Ornithogalum thyrsoidesvarieties of which the inventor is aware by its tall, upright racemes,its wide leaves, its suitability for growth in pots and its largeflowers.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttingswere taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexuallyreproduced, successive generations grown in a nursery at Half Moon Bay,Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor ‘Bethlehem’ remains firmly fixed through three generations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show thetypical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the new variety showing its form, upright growthhabit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and non-pigmented petals.

FIG. 2 is a view of the inflorescence of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the inflorescence of the new variety,showing opened florets, and opening florets.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the inflorescence of the new variety,showing opened florets, and opening florets.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a number of inflorescences of the new variety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the base of the raceme of the new variety.

FIG. 7 is a view of the base of the new variety.

FIG. 8 is a close up view of the upper portion of an inflorescence ofthe new variety.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the new variety.

FIG. 10 is a top view of an inflorescence of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures were grown in 6″ pots.

‘Bethlehem’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Colordeterminations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.)Colour Chart.

-   The plant:    -   -   Origin.—Controlled cross.        -   Parents.—Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq. ‘Snowflake’ and an            unnanmed Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq.        -   Botanic classification.—Ornithogalum thyrsoides Jasq.            ‘Bethlehem’.        -   Form.—Spreading basal leaves with upright inflorescences on            tall rachis. A typical plant with a mature inflorescence            that is ready for sale is approximately 43 cm high when            grown in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil amendments.        -   Growth.—Upright rachis with spreading leaves. Inflorescence            is large and showy.        -   Rachis.—The rachis is upright and glaucescent. Its color is            R.H.S. 146 A (yellow-green group).        -   Foliage.—Usually five leaves on a mature plant ready for            commercial sale. Leaves are whorled at base of stem.        -   Shape of leaf.—Fleshy, varying from channeled to flat,            lanceolate. Margins are entire.        -   Texture.—Glaucascent.        -   Color.—Mature leaves are R.H.S. 146 A (yellow-green group).            Large leaves are 25 cm long and 4 cm wide.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Form.—Corymbose racemes. Indeterminate As many as 100 or            more individual flowers (florets) per inflorescence on            pedicels that elongate as the florets opens, and can be as            long as 56 mm. Flowers do not produce a fragrance. The            rachis for the inflorescence is strong and upright. The            pedicels are predominately green — R.H.S. 146 A            (yellow-green group) at maturity.        -   Size of inflorescence.—Large. A typical inflorescence shown            in the figures can be as large as 15 cm in diameter, and 23            cm high.        -   Shape.—Basal florets opening first with pedicels that            elongate that give the raceme a corymbose appearance as the            inflorescence ages.        -   Appearance.—Showy.-   Florets:    -   -   General.—The florets at the base of the inflorescence open            first, and open more and more as the inflorescence ages.            Florets are perfect and complete. Perianth is not keeled.            Each floret is associated with a bract that can be as high            as 50 mm and is same color as leaves — R.H.S. 146 A            (yellow-green group).        -   Corolla.—There are 6 petals that are spotted at their base —            R.H.S. 152 A (yellow-green group), but predominately white —            R.H.S. 155 C (white group) with the mid-vein showing on the            abaxial surface.        -   Flower diameter.—70 mm. Petals are typically 36 mm high, 17            mm wide, 4 mm wide at their attachment, and the spotted base            is approximately 5 mm high and extends the width of the            petal at the base.        -   Stamens.—6 stamens (two sets of 3). Pollen is R.H.S. 17 A            (yellow-green group). Plant produces abundant pollen.            Filament is flattened with translucent wings. Filament is 3            mm wide at base and 10 mm high. Filament is 3 mm at its            widest point. Anther is 4 mm high and basally attached —            R.H.S. 69 A (red-purple group) and approximately 4 mm long.            Anther is 1 mm long and is regular and basally attached.        -   Stigma.—Generally, a three-pronged stigma on one pistil per            floret. The style is 2 mm long. The stigma is approximately            2 mm long.        -   Ovary.—The ovary is three-celled with axile placentae. The            base of the ovary is R.H.S. 152 C (yellow-green group) and            the top of the ovary is R.H.S. 200 B (brown group). The            ovary is 6 mm high and has a diameter of 7 mm.

1. A new and distinct Ornithogalum plant named ‘Bethlehem’ substantiallyas herein shown and described.